Volunteer

Monday, September 18, 2017

Introduction note
from Steve Schmidt, Development Manager, Upper Midwest Office:The following benefactor story
comes to us from a sibling of the Konz Family, Ms. Judith Koeppler.When I first reached out to Ms. Koeppler I
asked how she first became involved with NPH and she shared one of the most
beautiful stories of family-philanthropy I have heard to date.To honor her parents and her family I said I
would follow-up with a few photos from NPH.In the picture, I had the honor of presenting Ms. Koeppler and the
Konz Family with this photo book.In this
article Ms. Koeppler tells that story of their family-philanthropy and how the
joy of philanthropy continues to be passed down in her family, generation to
generation, benefitting organizations like NPH.Please enjoy this wonderful story!

Written by Judith Koeppler on behalf of the Konz Family:When you think of a family tradition, especially during the
Christmas holidays, you think of eating, celebrating, trees, lights and togetherness.
Our family has added a new tradition and that is philanthropy.

It all started with Anne and Larry Konz and their strong
commitment to their Catholic faith, Catholic education and their love of
travel. They traveled all over the world, but their favorite country was
Mexico. They loved the countryside, the people and the culture. Prior to one of
their trips in the late 1950’s, Father Ray Zagorski, a priest at their church
in Appleton, WI, told them about Father Wasson and the orphanage that he
established. They made plans to meet him and see the orphanage. As always, they
brought a couple of duffel bags full of clothes to give to the children. They
were impressed and stayed in the local village to learn more about Father
Wasson’s vision and decided that they like the philosophy he embodied for the
families of the children. All children from one family would never be
separated. All of the children were educated and worked on the farmland to help
produce food and embrace communal living.

The Konz family quickly grew to a family with nine children.
The entire family learned from early on that you cherish your family and bring
sunshine to those less fortunate. It can be a smile, a bouquet of flowers or a
home cooked meal.

The meeting of Father Wasson and the children started a
friendship that lasted for years. Anne and Larry sponsored one little boy for
years who finally graduated from College. Judie and Maribeth, two of their
kids, were fortunate to meet this young man in Mexico City in 1980. He was all
smiles and so very grateful for the opportunities the Konz’s made possible for
him. How proud they were to meet him.

Anne Konz passed away in 2001 and in memory of her giving
spirit, the family established the Granny Annie Fund through the Oshkosh Area
Community Foundation. Anne embraced philanthropy in a simple way – with
“heart”. A women of profound faith, she always considered others before
herself. Her authentic concern for humanity continues to thrive in the extended
Konz families. Donations are made throughout the year by family and friends.
Every Christmas Eve they gather together and collectively discuss charitable
opportunities and decide worthy programs to fund. Anne’s giving spirit was
quietly contagious and is now embodied in the hearts of three generations that
follow in her legacy. Her favorite NPH, quickly has become everyone’s favorite
because of what it meant to her and Larry. Their philanthropic spirit has
spread through the generations.

As the families gather together this Christmas Eve they will
decide on her behalf where the dollars generated from her fund will benefit.
They will capture the true meaning of what it feels like to give.